535.6: Monument to Color

Plate XII: Subjective Color–The Spectrum. From Birren’s Monument to Color

Monument to Color by Faber Birren (1938)

This is one of many, many books about color by colorist and industrial color consultant, Faber Birren.  Birren was interested not only in the science of color, but also in the psychology, history, and the industrial and and artistic application of color.

According to his 1988 obituary in the New York Times, Birren advised factories on color schemes to enhance productivity, morale and safety, with orange paint alerting people to hazards.

Is Birren the reason traffic cones are orange?–more research required 🙂

As a color consultant, Birren’s clients included the Army, Navy, General Motors, Monsanto, and Du Pont.

In Monument to Color, Birren outlines the principles of color theory and describes various color effects that can be achieved using the “color triangle” (kind of like the better-known “color wheel” but with white and black included).  These effects are beautifully illustrated in the back of the book.  See for yourself!  You can borrow the book with your St. Louis Public Library card!

Plate I: Colored Illumination--The Harmony of Yellow. From Birren's Monument to Color